The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1887-08-06
HE WOULDN'T ANSWER.

HE WOULDN'T ANSWER.
how Robin Was Taught to Always Come
the First Time lie was Called.
Robin was the dearest, sweetest, best
little laddie that ever lived. At least,
grandpa and grandma, Aunt Nell,
Sister Grace and Cousin Lou said so
on an average of a dozen lines every
day, and mamma was not inclined to
dispute them.
Occasionally, however, there were
times when the aforesaid Robin was
not quite so dear and sweet and good
as usual
There was a great deal to be done at
Robins house, and even he was ex-
pected to help some. To be sure,
there was not much that he could do,
but he could take steps" as mamma
called it, and run errands.
You would naturally think that he
would be glad.to do as much as that
for his dear, loving, hard-worked
mother, wouldn't you? But l am sorry
to say that, though Robin would trot
from morning till night about his play
or on his own errands, he had very
great aversion to taking steps for any
one else.
1t made his mother feel very badly
indeed.
Il can not bear to think that my
little Robin is selfish, she said to
papa, but it certainly looks like it.
He isn't really willing to do any thing
for any body but himself. !"
1--WE shaR have to teach him a les
son in some way" said papa.
The next morning Robin was out in
the wood-shcd with E Idle Bart play
ing Daniel in the lions dem" An
empty coal-bin was the den, and Bruno
was the lion.
Mamma was in the kitchen, baking,
a&d through the open door every now
and then came fragrant whiff5 that
would have beruiled Robin in, only
for the fear of being drafted into serv-
ice.
Goa, dear!' exclaimed mamma, as
she was stirring her spice cake robin
was extremely fond of spice cake, by
the waD-''oh, dearl my raisins
aren't PICKED over and l haven't a
minute to spare"
Call Robin to do it," said papa,
who happened to be in the kitchen
just then. He can do it we'll enough.
and as ho will consume as much of
the cake as any one, he had better
lend hand toward the making"
Robin, who heard every word of the
conversation, looked at Eddie in dis
may.
You cut and run somewhere quick,
and then you won't hear her if she
does call and I'll run home a few
minutes" whispered Eddie from the
den
Half minute later E lie might
have been sen slipping over the
fence, and Robin whisked up the
s.air4 into the little shed chamber.
"Robnn' called mamma, coming to
tn kitchen door.
BIT no Robin answered.
'Bob-in! she called, again and
again.
There was no response.
Then papa came out
Robert!' he said, with very de-
ciled ring to his voice
But there was no answer to this call.
either, rs Robin was at that moment
crouChcd upon the floor, with both
fingers in his ears and an old blanket
pulled tightly over his head.
Papas face was very grave. He
knew perfectly we'll that Robin had
been there but a moment ago, and he
had shrewd suspicion as to the cause
of his sud len disappearance.
He cou d not have gotten out of the
door without being seen; therefore, he
must be up stairs.
Papa went to the foot of the stairs.
R bn!' he called, very distinctly
and cleariy-sO clearly that that
young gentleman was almost afraid
that he heard him, in spite of his pre-
cautions.
However, as he was not in the habit
Of answering the first time, even